Gamble And Askins Fill Injury Gap Nicely

HEAT NOTEBOOK

MIAMI - — Glen Rice and Billy Owens could play, but that wasn't so bad after all.

Veterans Kevin Gamble and Keith Askins filled in admirably with all-around, vital performances to help lead the Heat past the 76ers 93-88 in an exhibition game Friday night at Miami Arena.

"It's always exciting when you have a hot hand like that and teammates are looking for you," said Gamble, who scored 28 points on 12-of-22 shooting.

Askins wasn't quite as excited. Though he scored 13 points with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot, as well as his customary stiff screens and active defense, Askins was shaking his head over some misfired jumpers.

"I didn't shoot well at all," he said of his 5-of-13 outing. "I missed a lot of open jump shots."

Unlike Askins, the open jump shot is like a layup for Gamble, whose season high last season was 23 points.

"He's a shooter," coach Pat Riley said. "Everybody knows that."

Groin sidelines Rice

After trying to play through pain, Rice finally succumbed to a groin injury that has bothered him for more than a week.

"I tried to bear with it as long as possible," he said. "It's really not healing the way I thought it would. The pain is unbearable at times."

Rice, who has missed only 14 games in six seasons, joined Owens, Rex Chapman and Chad Gallagher on the sidelines Friday night. Chapman is bothered by an inflamed Achilles' tendon and Gallagher has a sore heel. Owens, whose sore hamstring and toes have healed, is nursing a strained left ankle.

Grab bag

Shawn Bradley, the 76ers' slender center, had minor altercations with both Kevin Willis and Stacey King.

Late in the third quarter, Willis flung Bradley to the floor and Bradley responded by grabbing Willis' upper arm from behind. Vernon Maxwell tried to restrain Bradley by hanging onto his jersey and players and coaches from both teams quickly stepped between the big men.

"I don't like anybody grabbing my arms," Willis said. "That's when you get in trouble. You can get sucker-punched or something can happen. I had to free myself from that grab."